Back in the first post for The Dog Ate My Wallet, I wrote about My Money Philosophy. I believe that personal finances shouldn’t be a taboo subject. I believe that we would all be better able to make good financial decisions if people were willing to talk about money. However, I’m definitely in the minority. I knew that, but threads like “How much do you tell people about your money?” really bring it home. And that seems wasteful to me. No wonder kids know nothing about money when the people who have made smart decision refuse to talk about it.
Posts Tagged ‘not msn money’
Your Money Friday: Federal Student Loans
27
Apr
I can’t believe it’s already that time of year, but current high school seniors who are going to college next year are starting to get their financial aid award letters. So the question over at Your Money is about federal student loans- if both subsidized and unsubsidized are offered, do you have to take both? The answer is NO. Subsidized loans are a great deal- no interest while you’re at least half time in school and for a 6 month grace period after you graduate. Fur unsub loans, interest accrues and capitalizes. If you can afford it, subsidized loans only.
Your Money Friday: Swearing in a Resume
20
Apr
I don’t care how young and hip the business. I don’t care how much they use social media. The hiring manager at just about any job (retail being the one place I could see this not being the case) is going to be over 25 years old. That means that you need to use proper grammar and spelling in your resume. There should be no text speak, and for goodness sakes, especially if you’re going to have any contact with the public what so ever, there should be NO swearing. Please demonstrate that you have at least a little sense.
Your Money Friday: Money in Relationships
30
Mar
I’m about to ask you the most basic, most important question there is when handling finances within a relationship- Are you and your partner on the same page?
Don’t answer right away. Think about it.
This question is brought to us by the thread: Just need to vent, SO is losing their job. I know, they don’t sound related, and that’s part of why the question is so important. Because anything, even when people are on firm financial footing, can bring that question into play. How it’s answered or dealt with can spell the continuation or end of the relationship.
Your Money Friday: $100k/year and Feeling Poor
23
Mar
There’s a difference between making $100k/year and not feeling rich, and making $100k/year and feeling poor that’s more than difference between the thread title and the article title. While I understand that the writer feels like things should be different with at $100k, I think she needs a paradigm shift.
Their only debt is a mortgage and a car loan for a child. They bought their son a car, and they are able to cash flow both of their children through college. That’s not poor. It may not be tropical vacations and umbrella drinks, but it’s still doing quite nicely.
Your Money Friday: Keeping Down with the Joneses
16
Mar
This thread asks: Would you avoid spending money in order to not feel like a show off to friends, family, neighbors who are currently struggling? And if so, is there a difference between buying a new gadget that can be hidden away and renovating your kitchen, which is glaringly obvious?
I understand both sides of the argument, though I do not think we temper our spending based on what others might think. We save for what we need and then go buy it.
But our friends have always had diverse financial situations so it’s something we’re already used to navigating.
Your Money Friday- How much for shoes?
02
Mar
It has been a while since I have done a Your Money Friday, but since my creativity and energy are running low at the moment, it seemed like a good time to bring it back.
Today’s thread is about shoes- more precisely, how much should one pay for a good pair of shoes. And to make it more interesting, this question is being posed by a man.
Based on current comments, it would seem that not only are the women on the board are used to paying for high quality shoes, professional men are as well, especially for dress shoes.
Most Valuable Lesson from the Women in Red
26
Aug
I’ve learned a lot on the money message boards, both when they were at MSN and now at ProBoards. I haven’t used everything I’ve learned, but that doesn’t make the information less valuable. It gives me more options and options are good.
But the most valuable thing I’ve learned from Women in Red or Your Money? That you’re not alone, that a support group, even a virtual one, can be indispensible when it comes to reaching your goals.
I can be fairly certain that we wouldn’t be at the place we’re at without the support I’ve received from these boards.
What do you want to be, when you grow up?
19
Aug
Before this thread devolved, there were some great stories about how people chose their careers.
Turns out, some people know what they want to do from a very young age. Some of them did that, and some still ended up in positions very different from what they envisioned and loved it.
Some went with what was practical and made money. Some fell in to careers and some just work jobs, wishing they were doing something else.
But the point is, you do not have to decide what you’re going to “be” at 18. Life takes us different places. Be open.
Timeshares
12
Aug
We have a timeshare. Buying the timeshare was not one of the smartest things we’ve ever done, but I don’t regret it. It made our week long trip to England financially feasible. We’ve had some great weekends in the Vancouver and Victoria, BC areas because of it. Honestly, no regrets, even when I pay the dues.
But sometimes we need to remember how to say No. Timeshares give away free trips if you just attend a presentation because its not that hard to get people to say Yes. Remember, when you need to say No, say it, and no regrets.